You can use an over-the-counter drink, such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. Do not water down these drinks.

You can also try Pedialyte popsicles.

Watered-down fruit juice or broth may also help.

Medicines that slow down diarrhea are usually not given because they may make the infection last longer. If you have severe symptoms, your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics.

If you take water pills or diuretics, you may need to stop taking them when you have diarrhea. Ask your health care provider.

Expectations (prognosis)

In otherwise healthy people, symptoms should go away in 2 - 5 days, but they may last for 1 - 2 weeks.

The bacteria can be shed in the feces of some treated patients for months to a year after the infection. Food handlers who carry salmonella in their body can pass the infection to the people who eat their food.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if:

There is blood or pus in your stools

You have diarrhea and are unable to drink fluids due to nausea or vomiting

You have a fever above 101°F or your child has a fever above 100.4°F, along with diarrhea

You have signs of dehydration (thirst, dizziness, light-headedness)

You have recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea

Your diarrhea does not get better in 5 days (2 days for an infant or child), or it gets worse

Your child has been vomiting for more than 12 hours (in a newborn under 3 months you should call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begin